NOTTINGHAM, England (AFP) — Australia Captain Michael Clarke said yesterday he “hadn’t led from the front”, as he announced he would retire from international cricket after this month’s fifth Ashes Test against England at The Oval.

The 34-year-old made his announcement after England completed a crushing innings and 78-run victory over Australia in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge to take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match Ashes series.

“I will have one more Test and that is the end of my career,” said Clarke during the post-match presentation ceremony.

“I am retiring from international cricket. I don’t want to jump ship now so I will have one more go at The Oval,” he added after reports in Australian media earlier Saturday that he was about to end his Australia career.

The fifth Test starts at The Oval, in south London, on August 20.

Clarke, one of the best batsmen of his generation but plagued by a long-standing back problem and more recent hamstring trouble, is in a desperate run of form, having reached 25 just six times in his last 30 Test innings.

“There’s no doubt I’ll always hold myself accountable; my performances haven’t been anywhere they need to be,” said Clarke.

“I don’t blame anyone in the changing room, but I haven’t led from the front.

“I started this great game at six years of age and I think it’s the right time to walk away now.

“When I first came into the team, I had 11 older brothers helping me get into a position where I can help the team, and hopefully I’ve done that.”

He added: “About 7:30 pm last (Friday) night I spoke to my beautiful wife (Kyly) and my best mate in Warnie (Shane Warne).

“They both 100 per cent supported my decision.”

Clarke has made 28 Test centuries, one short of Australia batting great Donald Bradman’s tally, in his 114-match career.

England Captain Alastair Cook hailed his opposite number by saying: “To Michael from the England team, you were a fantastic player, fantastic leader. You should be remembered as a great captain.”

But Saturday’s defeat saw Clarke become the first Australian in more than a century to lose four successive Ashes series in England.

Clarke averages just 16.71 in eight innings this Ashes, with a top score of 38 and, as a consequence, his career Test average has dropped below 50.

He retired from One Day International cricket after leading Australia to World Cup glory on home soil earlier this year, with Clarke saying he had made the decision in order to prolong his Test career.